Page 98 of In Deep
When it’s dark, I play with my new telescope, exploring the stars above our city and losing myself for hours. Sometimes joined by one of the alphas when the hours draw late, and I teach them all the different constellations, showing each of them their Zodiac sign in the sky.
I wait for one of these evenings alone and I message my parents, telling them I need to talk to them on Zoom. I sit staring at my face on the laptop screen, waiting for them to join. I can read my nerves in my eyes.
Then the second black box appears and the image of my parents side-by-side flicks up. The sound follows a few seconds later, and I wave and smile as best as I can while we wait to speak to one another.
“Hello, darling,” my dad says. “You look well.”
“She looks skinny,” my mum says. “I suppose you’re not eating properly?”
“I’m eating fine.” My father’s still dressed in his shirt from the office, although he’s wearing no tie and his top button is loose. He leans back slightly in his chair, whereas my mum sits straight-backed, her hair curled behind her ears, her blouse buttoned to her throat.
I look at them both and wonder if they’ve ever experienced the type of passion I have. If they’re happy. In love.
“So what’s this all about then, Rosie?” my mum asks, patting down her hair as she glances at her image on the screen. “I want to catch the news in ten minutes.”
“You’re not in any trouble, are you?” my dad adds.
“No, no trouble.” I take a deep inhale. “I have some news I want to tell you.”
“You’re pregnant,” my mum gasps, her hand flying to her throat.
“No, I’m not pregnant. But I have … I have had a heat.”
My mum’s shoulders sag in relief and her hand drops to her lap. “Oh my, well, thank goodness for that.” She turns to my dad. “That is good news.”
“Very good news,” he repeats, looking flustered.
“And I met someone.” I can see my mum’s going to speak again, so I cut across her. “Actually, I met more than one person. I’ve met a pack.”
My parent’s brows crease in confusion. “A pack?” my dad says.
“What do you mean, you met them?” My mum examines my face. “Are you dating several men at once, Rosie?”
“No,” I straighten in my seat. “I’m in a pack now with four alphas.” I see the look of horror on my mum’s face, but I force myself to keep going. “And these are the four alphas I want to be with for the rest of my life.”
My dad hesitates, then speaks. “That’s good news, Rosie.” He peers at my mum. “That’s good news, Francis. That’s what you want, isn’t it? For Rosie to find an alpha.”
My mother’s jaw tightens and her mouth forms a tight line. “An alpha, Christopher, not four.” She glares at me through the computer screen. “What did I say? What did I say would happen if you went off to this college? I knew you’d end up in trouble, and now here you are, caught up with a pack. Rosie! What on earth do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m happy,” I say. “More happy than I’ve ever been before. They’re good guys.” I appeal to my dad. “They come from good–”
“Happy?!” My mum scoffs. “And how long do you think that will last? You’ll be shunned. Shut out of all respectable society. A pack omega!” She rests her hand on my dad’s shoulder. “Christopher, what will people say? About us?”
I keep my back straight, my face blank. I don’t let her to see how much her words wound me.
Is she right? Things aren’t like they used to be. There are more freedoms now. More opportunities for alphas and omegas to be who they want to be. To live the life they want. No more collars. No more chains.
She turns back to me. “And what of your ambitions? Now you’re just throwing them to one side, I assume.”
“No, that hasn’t changed.”
She scoffs. “A prestigious institute like the International Space Agency won’t hire a pack omega.”
Her words hit me in the gut, but I don’t show it. I stare back at her.
“This is what I want. I’ve made my decision.” I hang up. My mobile buzzes on the table, but I ignore it.
Outside, a storm whips up, and the wind swoops around the rooftop and howls down the chimney. Suddenly, I feel very alone in this big, old house.
